Apparatus for lubricating a molten metal mold

ABSTRACT

Improved lubrication of an open-ended mold assembly for casting of molten metal into a solidified metal body. The mold assembly includes a mold surface and has a capillary gap in communication therewith. Lubricant is admitted in controlled amounts to the capillary gap to at least one predetermined location thereof in order to effect improved lubrication about the mold surface during casting of molten metal.

United States Patent 2,690,600 10/1954 I Tarmann et a1 [72] Inventor John .I. Foye 3,286,309 11/1966 Brondyke et a1 164/82X Spokane, Wash. 3,329,200 7/1967 Craig 164/73X [2]] Appl. No. 703,151 3,344,846 10/1967 Rossing 164/281 [22] File 5,1968 3,381,741 5/1968 Gardner 164/73 [45] Pat nt J 1971 7 3,390,716 7/1968 Rossing 164/281 [73] Assignee Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation FOREIGN PATENTS Oakland, Calif. a corporation of Delawa 98 9/1965 Canada 164/268 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 666,655, Sept. 11, 1967, now abandoned.

[54] APPARATUS FOR LUBRICATING A MOLTEN Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-11. Spencer Annear Att0rneys-James E. Toomey, Paul E. Calrow, Elmer E.

Goshorn and Harold L. Jenkins ABSTRACT: Improved lubrication of an open-ended mold assembly for casting of molten metal into a solidified metal body. The mold assembly includes a mold surface and has a capillary gap in communication therewith. Lubricant is admitted in controlled amounts to the capillary gap to at least one predetermined location thereof in order to effect improved lubrication about the mold surface during casting of molten metal.

PATENTED'IJAN 1 9:971 f SHEET'I or INVENTOR. JOHN F. FOYE ATTORNEY PATENIED JAM 9197i sum 2" OF 4' INVENTOR. JOHN F. FOYE ATTORNEY SHEET 3- OF 4 ATTORNEY PATENTED JAN] 9 I971 V AI'PAltATUS Eon Lunar chino A MoLrEu METAL M .CROSS REFERENCE TO R LATED APPLICATION I This application is a continuationimpart to my copending patent application entitled, Continuous'Casting of Metals a capillary ga for admitting lubricant'in a unique manner into C the interior mold surfaceof the mold in order to effect improved lubrication thereabout.

Various apparatus have been designed inithepast for the Y Y lubrication of a moldin order to effect casting of molten metal but have not been found satisfactory for one or more reasons. For examplqwhen casting aningotho'rizontally, the metal cast within the mold, due to the influence of gravity. bears more heavily against the interior mold surface at the bottom of I the mold thanuagainst the top thereof. Bearing of the horizontally cast ingot more heavily at the bottom of the mold in this manneradversely affects lubrication between the bottom of the mold and the'opposed outer'surface portions of the case ingot. Further, in casting horizontally, the top of the interior mold surface usually has an excess amount of lubrication that causes the formation of wavelike configurations in the outer surface of the cast ingot at the top thereof.

When castingvertically or horizontally if the cross section of the interior mold'surfaces is irregular, such as, for example, a mold surface of oval or rectangular shape, portions of the molten metalwithin the mold cool at'a faster rate than other.

parts thereof. Theincreased cooling of these certain portions of the cast ingot is caused by a gieater heat abstractionat irregular portions of the ingot, elg., the corners in the case of an j ingotofi'ectangularcross section;

Therefore, thisinvention, taught by appIicantQc'Ontemplates supplying'lubricant to a mold under controlled amounts and pressures at predetermined locations around the periphery of ,the interior mold surface at the entry end thereof whereby the aforesaid differences in the rates of cooling of the cast ingotabout the interior mold surface are effectively controlledand whereby the differences in.the bearing forces of I the cast ingot' thereabout are also effectively controlled.

. .qsuMMARv OF-THEINVENTION It is the primary purpose of the instant invention to provide an improved method and apparatusfor lubricating an open ended mold for casting-molten metal into a solidified metal body..The apparatus generally comprises a mold assembly having an interior moldsurface extending between the ends thereof and also provided with unique means at the entry end ,with certain parts added in solid lines;

FIG. 2 is an end view along line 2-2 of FIG. I and with certain parts added in dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the gasket for the casting apparatus illustrated in FIGS. l-2;

FIG. 4 is an end view similar to FIG. Zfand illustrates another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is across-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4and with parts added;

FIG. 6 is an end viewof a moldsection of a casting apparatus certain parts of which have been removed and other parts of which have been shown in'dotted lines and illustrates V a third embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view-along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 is an end view of the gasket'for use in the embodiment of FIGS. 67;

FIG. 9 is an end view of a mold section illustrating a fourth embodiment of the invention; g

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along line 10-10 of FIG. 9 and with partsadded in solid lines; FIG. 1llis an end'view of a rectangular mold section and illustrates still another embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line 12-12 of FIG. 11 and with parts added in solid lines; V

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along line 13-13 of FIG. 11 and with partsadded;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the gaskc'tfor'use in the embodi- FlGplS is an end view similar to FIG. Z and illustrates a sixth embodiment of the instant invention; and

circular cross section such as, for example, a billet or ingot.

of the interiormold surface for supplying different amounts of I vention is not limited to the specific details disclosed but in-' cludes modifications, embodiments and equivalents which fall within the spirit of they invention and the scope of the appended claims. e

BRIEFDIESCRIIVTION 0 THE-DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of ahorizontal casting apparatus taken along line 1-1 of FIG. 2 and with parts added and illustrates an embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view along line 16-16 of FIG. 14 and with parts added.

- DETAILED DESCRIPTION FlGS.-l3, a preferred embodiment of the casting apparatus embodying the instant invention generally. comprises an openended mold assembly 8 disposed in 'a' horizontal position for continuously casting a solidified metal body 13 of substantially This mold assembly is comprised of a reservoir l0 for receiving and containing a volume of molten metal, a'chilled mold section 12 having an interior'mold surface 29, a plate element 11, such as an orifice plate, and a unique lubricating device generally indicated at 23. As will i become more apparent hereinafter, the orifice plate 11 and mold section 12 cooperate to form various parts of the-lubricating device 23 including the capillary gap 24 thereof. Informing the mold assembly 8, the reservoir 10, orifice plate ll'and mold section 12 are interconnected in axial alignment in a conventional fashion. The orifice plate may be provided with one or more openings or feed ports below the longitudinal axis of the mold section 12, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1, for supplying molten metal from the reservoir 10 to the interior mold surface 29. The chilled mold section 12 is of relatively short length and can be cooled in an appropriate manner such as by a water jacket (not shown) or by conventional spraying equipment (also not shown). Additional water sprays from the spray equipment (not shown) may be directed to impinge against the outer surface of the ingot emerging from the exit of the 'mold section 12 so as to further chill and solidify the ingot. As

indicated in FIG. 1, the billet 13 has a solidus line 15 of more or less parabolic shape whereby the billet, upon emerging from the mold, is in the form of a solidified outer cylindrical shell surrounding a liquid core.

The lubricating device 23, as indicated in FIGS. 1-2, is

generally comprised of lower and upper chambers 18 and 27.

a gasket 20 and lubricant supply conduits 16 and 25 having adjustable valves 17 and 26 respectively connected thereto. In order to form the chambers 18 and 27, circumferentially spaced depressions and 91 are formed-of arcuate configuration in concentric relation about the longitudinal axis of the mold section 12 in its end face at the inlet end thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The depressions 90 and 91 can be formed, for example, by an end-milling tool in a known manner. In forming these depressions 90 and 91, opposed arcuate surface portions of the mold section 12 defining the opposed sides of the depressions 90 and 91 are spaced radially outward of the interior mold surface 29 thereof. The depth of the depressions 90 and 91 is limited by surface portions 9 and 14 respectively of the mold section 12. These surface portions 9 and 14 are disposed between and interconnected to the aforementioned opposed arcuate surface portions defining the opposed sides of their respective depressions 90 and 91. As indicated in FIG. 2, the arcuate-shaped depression 90 is of larger arcuate extent than the depression 91.

The annular gasket 20, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3, is of an overall diametrical size for covering the open side of the depressions 90 and 91 in order to respectively form the lower and upper chambers 18 and 27, when the gasket is disposed between the opposing end faces of the orifice plate 11 and mold section 12, during connection of the orifice plate 11 to the mold portion 12 to form the mold assembly 8. The inner peripheral edge 19 of the gasket 20 defining the circular opening through the gasket 20 is of a diameter that is somewhat larger than the diameter of the interior mold surface 29 but smaller than the diameter of the arcuate surface portions of the mold section 12 defining the inner sides of the depressions 90 and 91, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Consequently, in mold assembly 8 in FIG. 1, the edge 19 of gasket 20 in conjunction with the complementary surface portions of orifice plate 11 and mold section 12 cooperate to form the capillary gap or recess 24. The gap '24 extends circumferentially about the mold surface 29. t

The term, capillary gap" is intended to mean throughout the specification and claims to be a gap of relatively small size, as compared to the overall size of the interior mold surface of any given mold, whereby the gap is capable of resisting the admittance of molten metal cast within the interior mold surface of the given mold while at the same time it is capable of admitting varying amounts of lubricant at desired pressures to different portions of the gap in order to effect improved lubrication between the interior mold surface and the outer surface of the metal cast within the given mold.

In order to supply lubricant from the chambers 18 and 27 to different portions of the gap 24, three radial slots are formed in nonuniformly spaced relation to each other within the gasket 20. As indicated in FIG. 3, two radial slots 21 and 22 are formed in the bottom of the gasket 20 while the third radi al slot 28 is formed in the top thereof. These radial slots 21, 22 and 28 afford oil-flowing communication from the chambers 18 and 27 to the gap 24 and are preferably of corresponding size. In addition, these slots 21, 22, and 28 extend from their open ends at the inner peripheral edge 19 of the gasket 20 towards the outer periphery thereof. When the gasket 20 is disposed between the opposing end faces of the orifice plate 11 and mold section 12, the outer ends of the slots 21 and 22 are aligned to overlie the open side of the lower depression 90 while the slot 28 at the outer end thereof overlies the open side of the upper depression 91.

Conduit 16 at one end thereof is connected to surface portion 9 of the mold section 12 that defines the bottom of the lower depression 90, as depicted in FIGS. 1-2. Similarly, conduit 25 at one end thereof is connected to the surface portion 14 of the mold section 12. The other ends of the conduits 16 and 25 are connected to a source (not shown) for supplying lubricant under pressure. The adjustable control valves 17 and 26, connected to the conduits 16 and 25 respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, a greater amount of lubricant is admitted to the bottom of the interior mold surface 29 than the amount of lubricant that is admitted to the top of the interior mold surface 29 from the upper chamber 27 through the slot 28 and the top portion of the gap 24. Thus, the lubricating device 23 of the instant invention in supplying a greater amount of lubricant to the bottom of the interior mold surface 29 effectively controls or compensates for the greater bearing force of the cast ingot, due to the influence of gravity, whereby the formation of cold folds in the bottom of the cast ingot are for all practical purposes eliminated. Further, the lubricating device 23 in admitting a lesser amount oflubricant to the top of the interior mold surface effectively prevents the accumulation of an excess amount of lubricant whereby the formation of wavelike configurations, due to excess lubricant, in the top of the cast ingot are for all practical purposes eliminated. In addition, even though the lubrication device 23 of the instant invention supplies different amounts oflubricant to the top and bottom of the gap 24, the formation ofa lubri cation film about the interior mold surface 29 is not adversely affected.

The breadth of the gap 24 is determined by the thickness of the gasket 20 while the depth of the gap is determined by the relative difference in diameter between the diameter of the peripheral edge 19 of the gasket 20 and the diameter of the interior mold surface 29 of the mold section 12. Thus, the actual size of the capillary gap 24 in the lubrication device 23 of FIGS. 1-2 can be changed by merely substituting another gasket for the gasket 20 of FIG. 3. The actual size of the gap 24 formed by any given mold assembly will, of course, depend to a great extent upon the particular metallurgical characteristics of the molten metal being cast in the mold section 12, the operating temperature of the mold assembly 8 and the type of lubricant including the viscosity thereof actually being used in the lubrication device 23. Dimensions of a capillary gap of a lubrication device, such as 23 of FIGS. l2, that have been found satisfactory are: a dimension of fivethousandths of an inch in the axial direction of the chilled mold section and a dimension of fifty-thousandths of an inch in the transverse or radial direction thereof.

The gasket 20 is formed of relatively thin oil-proof paper having the characteristics of being impervious to the pressurized lubricant being used in the system 23, being capable of withstanding the temperatures to which the mold assembly 8 is heated by the molten metal being cast therein and further being capable of enabling the formation of a satisfactory molten metal and lubricant seal between the opposed end faces of the orifice plate 11 and the mold section 12.

One suitable commercially available gasket is Gasket No. 403 sold by Anchor Packing Company of Seattle, Wash., as listed in their 1967 sales catalog.

As indicated in FIGS. 4-5, another embodiment of a mold assembly for effecting casting of molten metal in a horizontal position is generally comprised of an orifice plate 89 and a chilled mold section 88 having an interior mold surface 69. A circumferential depression is formed in the end face at the inlet end of the mold section 88 and is disposed in concentric relation to the longitudinal axis of the mold assembly. A supply conduit 93 having an adjustable control valve 94 is preferably connected at one end to the top of the annular surface portion 52 of the mold section 88 that limits the depth of the depression 95 and at the other end to a source of lubricant, not shown, as illustrated in FIG, 4. An annular gasket 97 includes three radial slots 85, 86 and 87 disposed in a similar manner, as the three aforedescribed slots of gasket 20. Thus, when the gasket 97 is disposed between the opposing end faces of the orifice plate 89 and the mold section 88, it forms a single chamber 96, as indicated in FIG. 5. Therefore, when a flow of lubricant under pressure is admitted by the supply conduit 93 to the chamber 96, the lubricant is passed from the chamber 96 through the slots 85, 86 and 87 to upper and lower portions of the gap 79 whereby a greater amount of lubricant is admitted to the bottom of the interior mold surface 69 thanthe top thereof. By virtue of the mold assembly of FIGS. 4-5 having a single chamber 95, different amounts of lubricant at the same pressure are admitted to the top and bottom of the capillary gap 79.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6--8, a third embodiment of a mold assembly for effecting casting of molten metal in a horizontal position generally comprises a chilled mold section 30 having an interior mold surface 39 and an orifice plate 38. Six depressions 31 of corresponding arcuate configuration are formed in equally spaced circumferential relation about the longitudinal axis of the mold section in its end face at theinlet end thereof, as shown in FIG. 6. An annular gasket 35 has six radial slots 36 formed therein. as illustrated in FIG. 8.-The gasket 35 is disposed between the opposing end faces of the orifice plate 38 and the mold section 30 insuch a manner so as to effect covering of the open sides of the six depressions 31 to form the sixchambers- 34. only two of which are indicated in FIG. 7, as well as to further effectposition'ing of each one of the six slots 36 of the gasket-35m overlie its respective chamber 34.. Six conduits 32 at one of their ends'are individually connected to their respective surface portions 54 of 40 having an interior mold surface 49 and an orifice plate 44.

The orifice plate 44 is connected in abutting relation with the end face of the chilledmoldsection 40 at the inlet end thereof. as indicated in FIG. 10. Depressions 41 and 42 of arcuate conless than thedepth of thedepressions 53, 61 and 68. When figuration are formed in the end face of the mold section 40 at the inlet end thereof in a similar mariner. as the aforcdescribed depressions 90 and 91 in FIGS. 1-2. An annular recess 43is also formed in appropriate fashion, such as by a conventional milling machine. in the endface of the chilled mold section 40 at the inlet end thereof and is concentrically disposed between the arcuate depressions 41 and 42 andthe interior mold surface 49 at the inlet endthereof. As depicted in. FIG. 10, the depth of the recess 43 is relatively less than the depth of the depressions 41 and 42. As indicated in FIG. 9, circumferentially spaced parts of the outer peripheral edges of the annular surface portion 57 of the mold section 40 defining the bottom of the recess 43 intersect the outer peripheral edges of the inner arcuate surface portions 59.and 64 of the mold section 40 defining the inner sides of the depressions 41 and 42.

The orifice plate 44, when assembled'in a known fashion to the inlet end of the mold section 40, covers not only the open sides of the depressions 41 and 42 but alsocovers an open side of the recess 43. Thus, covering of the depressions 41 and 42 and the recess 43 forms up'pe r chamber 68, lower chamber 55, and the capillary gap 62, as indicated in FIG. 10. By virtue of circumferentially spaced parts of the outer peripheral edge of the surface portion 57 intersecting outer peripheral edge of the surface portion 57 intersecting outer peripheral edges of inner arcuate surface portions 59 and 64, the upper and lower chambers 68 and 55 formed by assembly of the orifice plate 44 to the mold sections 40 are in direct open communication respectively with the upper and lower portions of the gap 62. Thus, the control valves 47 and 48v of conduits and 46, respectively, may be adjusted to supply lubricant in controlled amounts to chambers 68 and 55, respectively.

As indicated in FIGS; 11-13, a fifth embodiment of the mold assembly is shown for effecting casting of molten metal in a vertical position and generally comprises a mold section 50 and a plate element 65. such as an adapter plate, connected thereto. By virtue of the mold assembly being constructed for casting of molten metal in the verticalposition, the opening 51 through the adapter plate 65, as illustrated in FIGS. 12-13, is relatively larger than the opening through an orifice plate of a mold assembly disposed in a horizontal position, as in the aforedescribed embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, 4-5. 6-8 and 9- -l0. Although not shown, a spout or any suitable metaltransferring mechanism may be used to supply molten metal to the mold assembly. Further, it is to be understood that instead of the adapter plate 65 other appropriate means can be used such as, for instance. a hot top. The mold section 50 has an interior mold surface 83 of rectangular shape in cross section extending between the ends thereof.

A pair of elongated depressions 53. as shown in FIG. 11, are formed in the end face of the mold section 50 at the inlet end thereof and are disposed outwardly of an in paraIIeI spaccd relation to the longer length sides of the interior mold surface .83. Another pair of relatively shorter elongated depressions 61 are formed in the end face of the mold section and are disposed outwardly of an in parallel-spaced relation to the shorter length sides of the mold surface 83. A series of four depressions 68, each one'of corresponding arcuate configuration. are formed in the end face of the mold section 50 and are formed between theadjacent ends of adjoining depressions 61 and 53 at each of the four corners of the mold surface 83. as illustrated in FIG. 11. Each one of the depressions 53. 61. and 68 are uniformly spaced outward of the interior mold surface 83 about the periphery thereof.

A recess 81 is formed in the end face of the mold portion 50 and extends fully about the periphery of the mold surface 83. Further, the recess 81 is disposed between the aforementioned depressions 53, 61 and 68 and the periphery of the mold surface 83. The depth of the recess 81 is limited by surface portion 71 of the mold section and the depth'thereof is relatively indicated in FIGS. 12-13. In addition, the recess 81 in being covered by the end face of the adapter plate 65 forms the capillary gap 62, also as indicated in FIGS. 12-13.

Branch conduits 63 are connected at one end to surface portions 74 and 74 of the mold section 50 that limit the depth of opposed side chambers 77 and at the other end are connected to a common manifold 66*having adjustable control valve 67. Similarly, four surface portions 75 limit the depth of the four corner chambers 70 and each one is connected to an end of a branch conduit 73. These "branch conduits 73 are connccted'at their other ends to a-common manifold 78 which has an adjustable control valve 80. The surface portions 82 and 82 of themold section 50 that limit the depth of upper and lower chambers 72 are each connected to an end of a branch conduit 56. These branch condu'its are connected at their other ends to a common manifold 58 which has an adjustable control valve 60.

A source of lubricant under pressure, not shown, is connected to the aforedescribed manifolds 66, 78 and 58. By virtue of the mold cavity 51 being of rectangular shape, greater heat abstraction occurs at the four comers of the mold section I whereby the ingot cools ata faster rate at the comers thereof. Such a faster rate of cooling at the corners tends to cause cracks or other surface defects in the solidified ingot. In order to reduce the greater rate of cooling at the comers of the mold section 50, the four corner chambers 72 have been provided whereby the amount of lubricant to .the portions of the gap 62 adjacent the comer chambers 70 can be controlled.

With a slight modification the mold assembly of FIGS. 11 -13 can be adapted to cast molten metal in a horizontal position. In this instance the longer sides of the mold section 50 preferably-constitute the top and bottom of the mold as illustrated in FIG. 11. In order to supply different amounts of lubricant tothe top and bottom portions of the gap 62, a control valve 76. as indicated by dotted [lines in FIG. 11, may be incorporated in the upper branch conduit 56. With the mold in the horizontal position, a reservoir and orifice plate would be provided in a similar manner, as aforedescribed in FIG. 1.

Satisfactory lubricants for use in'the mold assembly of the instant invention are sperm oil, castor oil and petroleum based oil. One appropriate commercially available sperm oil is Sperm Oil N.W. 45 (naturally wintered at the temperature of 45 F.) sold by Swift 8:. Co. of Chicago, Ill. An appropriate castor oil is one of U.S.P. (United States Pharmacopeia) grade.

In a sixth embodiment of the instant invention, as indicated in FIGS. 14 16, the mold assembly for casting in a horizontal position generally comprises a chilled mold section 101 having an interior mold surface 103. An arcuate shaped depression 105 is formed in the end face of the mold section at the bottom thereof. The depth of the depression 105 is limited by a surface portion 107 of the mold section 101. A conduit 109 has an adjustable control valve 111 connected thereto and is connected at one end to a source of lubricant. not shown, and at the other end to the surface portion 107 of the mold section 101. An annular gasket 113 includes an inner peripheral edge 115 of a larger diameter than the mold surface 103 of the mold section 101 and of a smaller diameter than the inner arcuate surface portion 106 of the mold section 101 defining the inner side of the depression 105. in contrast to the gaskets 20, 97 and 35 of FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, gasket 113 is provided with only one slot 117. When the gasket 113 is interposed between a plate element 119 and the mold section 101 it not only covers the open side of the depression 105 to form a lubricant chamber 108 but also forms a capillary gap 121, as indicated in FIGS. 15 and 16.

The mold assembly of FIGS. l4l6 is primarily for use in casting solidified bodies of small cross section, for example, smaller than 3.50 inches in diameter. Thus, when lubricant under pressure is admitted by the conduit 109 to the chamber 108, upon proper adjustment of the control valve 111, lubricant is supplied through the slot 117 to the bottom portion of the gap 121 in order to cause distribution of lubricant about the periphery thereof, whereby a greater amount of lubricant is supplied to the bottom portion of the gap 121.

Also, it is evident that the other embodiments of the invention can be made to function similarly, as the embodiment of FIGS. 14-16. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 910, the upper depression 41 of the mold section 40 in FIG. 9-l0, the upper depression 41 of the mold section 40 in FIG. 9 would be removed in a suitable manner, e.g., by a fitted plug having an overall size corresponding to the depression 41. Thus, lubricant would only be admitted by the chamber 55 to the bottom portion of the gap 62 in the mold assembly of FIGS. 9-10.

Although the embodiments of the mold assemblies discussed above are described as being in either the horizontal or vertical position, it is to be understood that the mold assemblies could be in a sloped position that is positioned at any angle between the horizontal position and the vertical position.

Advantageous embodiments of the instant invention have been disclosed and described. It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the following claims, wherein:

lclaim:

1. An open ended mold assembly for continuous casting of metal bodies, said assembly comprising a chilled mold section having an interior mold surface extending between a molten metal inlet and a solid metal outlet, a plate element connected to the inlet of said mold section and provided with an opening in communication with the interior of the mold section, an annular slotted gasket interposed between said plate element and said mold section in such manner that the inner peripheral edge of said gasket is offset outwardly of the interior mold surface of said mold section and said gasket and said mold section cooperate with each other to provide at least one lubricant chamber disposed outwardly of the interior mold surface, complimentary portions of said plate element and said mold section acting inconjunction with the inner peripheral edge of said gasket to define a capillary gap extending around the periphery of the interior mold surface at the inlet of said mold section, means for connecting a source of lubricant to said lubricant chamber and a slot in said gasket extending from the inner peripheral edge of said gasket toward the outer periphery thereofto provide a lubricant oil assageway.

2. An open ended mold assembly as set orth in claim 1 including valve means for regulating the rate of lubricant flow to the lubricant chamber.

3. An open ended mold assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which one dimension of said gap extends about 0.005 of an inch in the axial direction of said mold section and the other dimension of said gap extends about 0.050 of an inch in the transverse direction of said mold section.

4. An open ended mold assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said mold assembly is disposed in a horizontal position.

5. An open ended mold assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said mold assembly is disposed in a vertical position.

6. An open ended mold assembly for continuous casting of metal bodies, said assembly comprising a chilled mold section having an interior mold surface extending between a molten metal inlet and a solid metal outlet, av plate element connected to the inlet of said mold section and provided with an opening in communication with the interior of the mold section, an annular gasket member interposed between said plate element and said mold section in a manner that the inner peripheral edge of said gasket is spaced outwardly of the interior mold surface of said mold section and said gasket and said mold section cooperate to provide at least one lubricant chamber outwardly of the interior mold surface, complimentary portions of said plate element and said mold section in conjunction with the inner peripheral edge of said gasket defining a capillary gap extending around the periphery of the interior mold surface at the inlet of said mold section, and means for connecting a source of lubricant to said lubricant chamber, said gasket being provided with a plurality of slots, each of said slots extending from the inner peripheral edge of said gasket towards the outer periphery thereof, whereby the slots are arranged in alignment with the lubricant chamber in order to provide oil flowing communication from said chamber to said gap so as to supply lubricant to different portions of said gap in varying amounts.

7. An open ended mold assembly as set forth in claim 6 in which said slots are nonuniformly disposed about the periphery of said gasket.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 556,197 Dated January 19, 1971 Invent0r(S) John F. Fove It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 28, "case" should be -cast;

Column 3, line 68, FIGS. l2, a greater" should be FIGS. 1

" permit the regulation and control of the flow and pressure of the lubricant to the chambers 18 and 27 respectively. By virtu of the two slots 21 and 22 conneeting the lower chamber 18 to the lower portion of t gap 24, as indicated in FIGS. 1-2, a great Column 5, line 37, "edges" should be edge--; Column 5, line 50, should be deleted (repetition) Column 6, line 3, "an" should be and--;

Column 6, line 7, "an" should be -and-; and Column 7, line 35, should be deleted (repetition) Signed and sealed this 10th da of August 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SCH'UYLER, JR. Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-IOSO (10-59) .nr .a-"J- 

1. An open ended mold assembly for continuous casting of metal bodies, said assembly comprising a chilled mold section having an interior mold surface extending between a molten metal inlet and a solid metal outlet, a plate element connected to the inlet of said mold section and provided with an opening in communication with the interior of the mold section, an annular slotted gasket interposed between said plate element and said mold section in such manner that the inner peripheral edge of said gasket is offset outwardly of the interior mold surface of said mold section and said gasket and said mold section cooperate with each other to provide at least one lubricant chamber disposed outwardly of the interior mold surface, complimentary portions of said plate element and said mold section acting in conjunction with the inner peripheral edge of said gasket to define a capillary gap extending around the periphery of the interior mold surface at the inlet of said mold section, means for connecting a source of lubricant to said lubricant chamber and a slot in said gasket extending from the inner peripheral edge of said gasket toward the outer periphery thereof to provide a lubricant oil passageway.
 2. An open ended mold assembly as set forth in claim 1 including valve means for regulating the rate of lubricant flow to the lubricant chamber.
 3. An open ended mold assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which one dimension of said gap extends about 0.005 of an inch in the axial direction of said mold section and the other dimension of said gap extends about 0.050 of an inch in the transverse direction of said mold section.
 4. An open ended mold assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said mold assembly is disposed in a horizontal position.
 5. An open ended mold assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said mold assembly is disposed in a vertical position.
 6. An open ended mold assembly for continuous casting of metal bodies, said assembly comprising a chilled mold section having an interior mold surface extending between a molten metal inlet and a solid metal outlet, a plate element connected to the inlet of said mold section and provided with an opening in communication with the interior of the mold section, an annular gasket member interposed between said plate element and said mold section in a manner that the inner peripheral edge of said gasket is spaced outwardly of the interior mold surface of said mold section and said gasket and said mold section cOoperate to provide at least one lubricant chamber outwardly of the interior mold surface, complimentary portions of said plate element and said mold section in conjunction with the inner peripheral edge of said gasket defining a capillary gap extending around the periphery of the interior mold surface at the inlet of said mold section, and means for connecting a source of lubricant to said lubricant chamber, said gasket being provided with a plurality of slots, each of said slots extending from the inner peripheral edge of said gasket towards the outer periphery thereof, whereby the slots are arranged in alignment with the lubricant chamber in order to provide oil flowing communication from said chamber to said gap so as to supply lubricant to different portions of said gap in varying amounts.
 7. An open ended mold assembly as set forth in claim 6 in which said slots are nonuniformly disposed about the periphery of said gasket. 